Filling machine



Feb. 25, 1958 R. H. BREEBACK FILLING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 29, 1955 and.

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United States Pat FILLING MACHINE Rudolph Henry Breeback, Baltimore, Md., assignor to Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc., Baltimore, Md., a corporation of New York Application September 29, 1955, Serial No. 537,343

23 Claims. (Cl. 141-6) The present invention relates to a filling machine, and more particularly, to a rotary filling machine having container supporting platforms which are adapted to receive containers and move them into engagement with filling heads of the filling machine for filling.

Filling machines of the type disclosed herein ordinarily include a rotary filling table provided with a plurality of container supporting platforms positioned adjacent the periphery of the table. The filling table rotates relative to a stationary work table and during movement of the filling table past the stationary work table, containers are moved from the work table onto the container supporting platforms and into alignment with the filling heads provided above each container supporting platform. The containers are then raised into engagement with the filling heads where they are filled and, after they are filled, they are lowered by the platforms to the level of the filling table and are removed therefrom to the work table and then transferred to suitable closing mechanisms. Under present practice, filling machines are provided with a pull- \down cam carried on the stationary work table and :adapted to engage the container supporting platforms and 'pull them down to the level of the work table. According to United States Patent No. 2,202,033, issued May 28, 1940, on an application of Robert J. Stewart and Wiltie I. Gladfelter, each container supporting platform includes a piston and cylinder arrangement and a fluid under pressure is in constant communication with the cylinder and piston arrangement to raise the container supporting platform when the latter is out of engagement with the pull-down cam.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved mechanism for moving container supportingplatforms of filling machines to and from the filling heads.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for raising and lowering the container supporting platform into and out of engagement with the filling head, the arrangement being such that the filling machine may be operated at very high speeds without the disadvantage of vibrations being set up in the filling machine due to the container supporting platform being subject to high pressure while it is engaged by the pulldown cam.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a lifting mechanism for the container supporting platforms which utilizes differential pressures acting on the platform during a revolution of the filling table, a positive mechanical means being utilized for moving the platform to a particular position.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for moving container supporting platforms of filling machines, the mechanism being arranged to exert an upwardly acting pressure on the platform while the platform is under the influence of a pull-down cam, the upwardly acting pressure being suflicient to raise the platform when platform is leaving the pull-down cam, and

the pressure acting on the platform being increased assoon "ice as the platform is raised to its upper position and is free of the pull-down cam. By increasing the pressure acting on the container supporting platform after the container supporting platform has been raised, a tight seal can be made between the container and the filling head without causing a jarring action to the filling machine. In other words, use of high pressure to lift the container supporting platform as well as to maintain the container in tight sealing engagement with, the filling head, often times sets up a jarring or vibrating action in the filling machine when the container supporting machine left engagement with the stationary cam and reached its upper limit of travel.

Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a filling machine with a container supporting platform lifting mechanism which lifts the platforms by utilization of fluid pressure and lowers the platform by mechanical means such as a stationary cam, the platform being maintained in its upper position by a higher fluid pressure than necessary to'lift the platform. By being able to reduce the pressure of fluid acting on the platform to maintain it in its elevated position so that the filling heads are in tight sealing engagement, high frictional forces between the platform and the pull-down, cam are materially reduced and thus wear of the cam and cam follower are reduced, as .well as a drag on the rotary filling table.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of transferring containers onto a rotary filling table, raising them into a filling position, filling them, and lowering them from the filling position and off of the rotary filling table.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for raising and lowering containers for filling, the method including utilization or differential pressure to raise and maintain the continer raised, and utilization of positive means to lower the container against one of the differential pressures.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following specification, claims, and drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a filling machine provided with the arrangement of the lifting mechanism of the present invention, parts being shown in cross section.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through one of the container supporting platforms of the filling machine.

Figure 3 is a horizontal plan view of the manifolds and air valves of the lifting mechanism.

Figure 4 is a development of the pull-down cam and showing the position of the container supporting platforms of the filling table just prior to and after engagement with the pull-down cam.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail vertical sectional view showing the bearing on the base column for supporting the rotary filling table and, more particularly, the transfer passages of compressed air through the base column to the high pressure manifold of the rotary filling table.

Figure 6 is an enlarged horizontal view, partly in elejvation and partly in section, of. one of the'connector' block assemblies for the high and low pressure manifolds. Figure 7 is an exploded vertical section of the connector block assembly disclosed in Figure 6. t

Figure 8 is a view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is an enlarged horizontal elevational view disclosing the inlet connection to the high pressure manifold I assembly.

Figure 10 is an enlarged detail sectional plan view of the lower end of one of the container supporting plat-.

forms.

Figure 11 is a vertical section on the line 1 1 --11, of. H 10 FigurelZ is an enlarged top plan view of the exchange air valve assembly;

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional detail of the exchange air valve assembly taken on theline 1313 of Figure 12.

Figure 14' is a view of the exchange air valve assembly taken on the line 14f14 of Figure -13.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the exchange air valve assembly and a portion of the container supporting platform and showing the air valve'in a position communicating with the high pressure manifold.

Figure 16is a fragmentary view taken on the line 16-16 of Figure 15 and showing the relative position of the high pressuretrip and the valve operating arm.

Figure 17 is a -view similarto'Figure '1'5, but showing the air exchange valve-in communication with the low pressure manifold.

Figure 18 is a view taken on the .line'18"18 'of Figure 17, and showing the relative position of the valve operat-' ing arm and the low pressure trip.

Figure 19 is a plan detail of the mounting of the high pressure trip for the exchange air valve assembly.

Figure 20 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the rnufiler assembly of the low pressure manifold;

Figure 21 is a view showing vertical sections through the rotary plug of the exchange air valve assembly and is taken on the lines A, B' and C', respectively, of Figure 13.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals or characters refer to like or similar parts, the filling machine of the present'invention is illustrated in general assembly in Figure 1 and includes a stationary or fixed work table generally indicated by the numeral and a rotary filling table 12 supported for rotationupon a fixed standard 14. Superposed rotary structure 16 is mounted on filling table 12 and carries a reservoir 18 from which liquid or the like is supplied to filling heads 20 carried on the periphery of structure 16. A plurality of container supporting platforms 22 are carried on the periphery of rotary filling table '12, one platform being in vertical alignment with and below each of the filling heads 20.

Although the filling machine disclosed herein is of the type normally used to fill containers with a carbonated liquid such as beer, it is within the scope of the invention that other types of filling machines could be utilized. Containers traveling on endless conveyors across the top of work table 10 are transferred onto container supporting platforms 22 in any suitable mannersuch as shown in the aforementioned Stewart et al-. patent, and are raised vertically into sealing engagement with the filling heads 20. When in the raised position, the containers are filled with liquid from reservoir IS'through any suitable filling sequence as controlled by the filling valves 24. After containers have been filled, the platforms are lowered and the containers are again transferred to the work table and conveyed from the filling machine to suitable crowning or canclosing mechanisms. Filling table 12 and the superposed structure 16 may be rotated in any suitable manner such as by a gear 26 mounted on a drive shaft 28 connected to a suitable source of power. Gear 26 is adapted to mesh with a ring gear 30 concentrically supported on the under surface of filling table 12.

Liquid is transferred from a suitable source of supply to reservoir 18 through a pipe 32 extending upwardly through the central column of the rotary filling machine. If the filling machine is of the type for filling containers with a. carbonated beverage, a superposed gas is provided above the liquid in reservoir 18, the gas being normally used to counter-pressure containers prior to the filling operation.

Referring now to Figure. 2, container supporting platforms 22 include container engaging members 34 which aresecured to the upper end of an elongated tubular sleeve 36 having an open bottom. Sleeve 36 is adaptedto slide vertically in a tubular bearing or collar 38 mounted in a vertical aperture 40 infilling table 12.

Depending downwardly from and attached to filling table 12 by any suitable means are a plurality of angle members 41 positioned between the downwardly depending cylindrical sleeves 36 of container supporting platform 22. Attached to the lower end of angle members 41 by any suitable means is a ring 42-of substantially the same diameter as the filling table 12. Ring 42 is provided with apertur sli which are in-axial -alignment with the apertures 5G in filling tab1e12. A cylinder, generally indicated by the numeral 44, is provided at its lower end with an apertured fitting 46; One cylinder 44 is inserted through each aperture in ring 42 and into tubular sleeve 36 associated therewitht Fitting 46-of cylinder 44 may be bolted or otherwise secured to the under side of ring 42 so as to hold the cylinder stationary with respect to the filling table. Each cylinder 44 includes an outer sleeve member 47 and an inner tubular member 50. Sleeve member 47 is supported at itslower end by fitting 46 and is of substantially the same diameter as the tubular sleeve 36 into which it fits. The upper end of sleeve 47 is provided with an internally threaded fitting 48 which is adapted to be threaded onto the upper end of inner tubular member 50. As best shown in Figures 2, l0 and 11, the lower end of tubular member 50 is rigidly connected to fitting 46 by welding or the like as indicated at 49. The upper end of tubular member 56 is also internally threaded and is adapted to threadedly receive a tubular fitting 52 having a radially extending flange which is adapted to clamp a retaining ring 54 tightly against an annular washer or packing 56. Packing or washer 56 provides a seal between the interior wall of movable sleeve 36 and the outer wall of stationary sleeve 47.

Asmentioned above, container supporting platform 22 is providedwith the container engaging member 34, the member being threaded into the upper end of tubular sleeve 36. Since the container engaging member is solid and provides a downwardly facing wall or surface 58, the container supporting platform-22 functions as a piston, and is movable with respect tocylinder 44. The inner tube 50 of cylinder 44 defines a pressure chamber 60 to which fluid pressure in the form of air or the like may be applied to the under surface 58 of member 34 to raise the container supporting platform on the cylinder to its upper position. Upward movement of the container supporting platform islirnited when a shoulder 62 on the lower end of sleeve 36 engages the stop block or abutment 64 on filling table 12. A more detailed description of this action relative to raising of platform 22 will follow later in the specification.

As mentioned. above, movable sleeve 36 is provided at its lower end with a shoulder 62, shoulder 62 being on an enlarged portion 66.01" the sleeve. Enlarged portion 66 provides a means; of fixedly attaching a cam follower 68 to the tubular sleeve 36. As best shown in Figure 2, cam follower 68 includes a roller 70 mounted on a bearing bolt 72 which is threaded into the enlarged portion 66 of sleeve 36.

A fixed cam track 74 mounted. on the base of work table 10 is provided with a downwardly inclined approach portion 76 and an upwardly inclined exit portion 73, as best shown diagrammatically in Figure 4. Since cam track 74 is, in the path of travel of cam followers 68, the upper surface of the rollers 70 will first engage the downwardly inclined portion 76 to lower the container supporting platform 22 until such time that the container supporting platform reaches the level of work table 10. A straight portion 80 is provided on cam track 74 and during this portion of the travel of filling table 12, the container supporting platforms will be level with work tablell). and filled containers can be removed therefrom and empty containers positioned thereon. After empty containers, are properly positioned on the container supporting.v plattorms22,., rollers7ll of cam follower 68 will ride-up the upwardly inclined portion 78 of cam track, 74 and the-container supporting platforms will be raised to a position where the containers are to be filled. Rollers 70 are maintained in contact with the upwardly inclined portion 78 of cam 74 by fluid pressure acting on the piston surface 58 of container supporting platforms 22, as will be explained in greater detail later in the specification.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 12 through 14, it will be noted that an exchange air valve assembly 82 is provided on the lower end of each cylinder assembly 44. Valve assembly 82 includes a valve casing 84, a plug type rotatable valve body 88 and a valve operating lever or arm 90 keyed to the valve body 88. Casing 84 is secured.

to the bottom of fitting 46 by a suitable bolt assembly 86 as shown in Figure 11. A passage 92 in valve casing 82 is aligned with the aperture in fitting 46 so as to place the valve assembly in communication with pressure chamber 60 of cylinder 44. Second and third passages 94 and 96 in casing 84 are adapted to communicate with high and low pressure manifolds 98 and 100, respectively. As shown in Figure 12, sections of the high and low pressure manifolds fit into bores 102 and 104 respectively, in valve casing 82, the bores 102 and 104 being in communication with the passages 94 and 96 respectively. Rotatable valve plug 88 fits into a longitudinal bore 106 in casing 84 and is adapted to rotate on a longitudinal axis with respect to the casing. Suitable means, such as a lock washer 108 and a retaining ring 110 retain the rotatable valve body or plug in bore 106. Rotatable valve body 88 is provided with an interior longitudinal bore 112 which communicates with an arcuate-shaped radially extending passage 114, shown in Figure 21 and also a pair of radially extending passages 116 and 118. It will be noted that the passages 116 and 118 extend radially outwardly at approximately a 90 angle with respect to each other. Movement of valve operating arm 90 will cause rotation of valve plug 88 on a longitudinal axis in such a manner that the passage 92 in valve casing 84 is aligned with one or the other of its passages 94 or 96. If passage 116 is in alignment with passage 94, then passage 118 will be out of alignment With passage 96, but passage 92 will remain in alignment with arcuate-shaped passage 114 and, consequently, flow through the valve assembly will be through passages 94, 116, 112, 114 and 92. On the other hand, if. it is desired to align passage 92 with passage 96 as shown in Figure 13, the flow will be through passage 114, bore 112 and passage 118, as passage 116 will be out of.

alignment with passage 94.

A source of supply (not shown) of fluid under pressure is connected to an inlet pipe 120, which transfers the fluid through a suitable filter and pressure regulating device 122 into the base of standard 14. Pipe 120 then extends upwardly through the stationary standard 14 and communicates with a radially outwardly extending passage 124 as best shown in Figure 5. Passage 124- is formed in the wall of stationary standard 14, but communicates with an annular groove 126 in a lantern ring assembly 128. Lantern ring assembly 128 rotates with respect to standard 14 and is carried by filling table 12 in any suitable manner such as the bolts 130. A

suitable packing 132 between the lantern ring assembly 128 and the stationary standard 14 provides a seal to prevent leakage of fluid between the rotating lantern ring and the stationary standard. Lantern ring 128 is provided with a radially extending boss 132 which has a radial passage 134 therein communicating with the annular interior groove 126.

High pressure manifold 98, which is carried by filling table 12, communicates with passage 134 of lantern ring 128 by means of a pipe 136 which is connected to boss 132 and extends upwardly and outwardly along the under surface of filling table 12 and then downwardly adjacent one of the container supporting platforms to where it is connected with high pressure manifold 98, as indifi l at g 9 lg??? a t swfl i H 5 .75. sl swl l fixedly connectedihereto vat 208 by welding era sureis continuously supplied from the source of fluid too cumbersome when connected to the. individual valve In order that each of the sections 140' assemblies 82. and 142 of highpressure manifold 98 may act as a single circular manifold to supply a constant pressure of fluid to the valve assemblies 82, the inlet pipe 136, which is connected to the sections of high pressure manifold at 138 is provided with a,Y-fitting 148 connected into the respective ends of sections 140 and 142, as shown in Figures 2 and 9.

Connecting blocks 144 which connect the individual tubular segments of pipe which make up the high pres sure manifold are best shown in Figures 6 to 8 inclusive. It will be noted that connecting blocks 144 include a block element 150 having passages 152 in which the ends of the tube segments fit. Communicating with passage 152 are passages 154 which extend upwardly through the wall of the block element 150. A cap element 156 will be communication through the connecting plug to tube segments being connected. Threaded bolts 162 connect block element 150 with the cap element 156 and an apertured gasket 164 is provided therebetween having apertures in alignment with passages 154 and 160.

Low pressure manifold 100 is also carried by filling table 12 and is similar in construction to high pressuremanifold 98 in that it too is made up of two semi-circular sections comprising a plurality of tubular segments. The tubular segments of the low pressure manifold 100 connect to each connecting block 144 in the same manner as the tubular segments of the high pressure manifold. Since the inlet pipe 136 to the high pressure manifold connects semi-circular sections 140 and 142 on one side of the filling machine, the low pressure manifold 100 is connected on the other side of the filling machine, as indicated at in Figures 1 and 3. Low pressure manifold 100, made up of substantially semi-circular sections 172 and 174, is provided with a Y-fitting 180, which is similar to the Y-fitting 148 previously described and is connected to v a single outlet pipe 182.

Pipe 182 extends upwardly alongside one of the container supporting platform lift assemblies through a passage 184 in filling table 12 to a pressure relief device 186. I

or the like, are removed. The fluid is then flowed from filter 192 through a pipe 194 to a muffier assembly 196 and then to atmosphere.

Mufller assembly 196 is shown in detail inFigure 20.

The mufller assemblyincludes an outer cylindrical sleeve 198, closed at both ends by the end plates 200 and an I inner cylindrical sleeve 202. End plate 200, to which pipe 194 is connected, is provided with a threaded bore 204 to receive the threaded end of pipe 194. The other 7 end plate 200 is provided-with an axial bore 206. End

plate 200, into which pipe 194 is threaded, has the inner The pressure of fluid relieved through any. other suitable means. Inner'tubular sleeve 202 is closed at its lower end by a plugs21-0 and is-providedon its peripherywith a plurality of radiallyextendingpa'ssages 212. Fluid escaping 'from pressure regulating de vice 186 will flow through pipe 194 into the bore 203 of inner sleeve 202 and will then flow through the plurality of passages 212 into the chamber-definedby theouter' sleeve 198. The fluid will then escape fromthe'chamber defined by the outer sleeve 198 to atmosphere through the aperture or bore 206 in end plate 200. The advantage of having a muffler through which excess fluid pressure from the low pressure manifold is exhausted to atmosphere is that it reduces the noise of the fluid so that the overall operating noise of the filling machine is decreased.

As mentioned above, selector or air exchange valve 82 will change the pressure of fluid acting on the container supporting platform 22 during rotation of filling table 12. Referring now to Figure 4, a fixed trip 220 is provided just forward of cam track 74 and in the path of movement of the exchange valves 82. A second fixed trip 222 is provided just aft of the cam track 74 and also in the path of the exchange valves 82. When filling table 12 is rotating and carrying with it the container supporting platforms 22, it will approach cam track. 80 and just prior to engagement of rollers 70 with pull-down cam track 74, lever or operating arm 90 of the exchange valve associated with the platform will engage trip 220 and be rotated counterclockwise to move the valve to a position shown in Figures 17 and 18. When the valve has moved to the position disclosed in Figures 17 and 18, the low pressure manifold will be in communication with pressure valve 60 and the pressure within the chamber is relieved through pressure regulating device 186 to a predetermined low pressure. The predetermined low pressure should be low enough to permit roller 70 to engage cam track 74 and smoothly lower the platform against an upward pressure exerted thereon. However, the low pressure in chamber 60 must be high enough to cause the platform to raise when roller 70 engages the upwardly inclined portion 78 of cam track 74.

After roller 70 has left cam track 74 and has raised platform 22 with an empty container thereon into engagement with filling head 20, trip 222 engages lever 90 and moves it in a clockwise direction to change valve 82 to the position shown in Figures 15 and 16. When the valve is in the position shown in Figures 15 and 16, the pressure chamber 60 will be in communication with the high pressure manifold and pressure acting against the piston surface 58 of container supporting platform 22 will be increased to a predetermined amount and will hold the container C tightly in engagement with filling head 20.

As shown in Figure 4, when the container supporting platform 22 reaches the position A, filling valve 24 of filling head 22 has been just closed by a fixed trip 230 and exchange valve 82 has already placed pressure chamber 60 in communication with low pressure manifold 100. Filled containers C are then lowered and removed from filling table 12 and empty containers are placed on container supporting platforms 22. The platforms begin to rise, due to the low pressure fluid acting on piston surface 56 as the roller travels up incline 78. When container supporting platform 22 reaches position B and if there is a container thereon, the container will be in engagement with the filling head and the filling valve 24 will be ready to engage a trip 232 which moves the valve to a position where the container is placed under counter pressure. Just prior to filling valve 24 hitting the fixed trip 232 to move it to counter pressure, the air.

exchange valve 82 is moved to a position placing high pressure manifold 98 into communication with'pressure chamber 60. Consequently, the container C is held in tight engagement with the filling head during counter pressure and through the remaining portion of the filling cycle. After container has beencounter-pressured,

position where the container is filled with liquid from reservoir 18. As shown in position D, the filling valve has been moved to fill and the container is being filled.

-Container supporting platform indicated at position B does not have a container thereon and, it will be noted, that it is slightly raised over the platforms as indicated at B and D. When the container supporting platform does-not have a container thereon, the platform will raise slightly higher than normal until shoulder 62 abuts stop 64 as previously explained. This occurs immediately after roller 70 leaves cam track 74.at 240. In other words, as soon as the platform is lifted to its fullest extent," when no container is present thereon, suitable mechanism such as disclosed in the aforementioned Stewart et al. patent, will render the filling head inoperative by moving trip 232 out of position of filling valve24. It is important to have the container supporting platform under the condition of no container thereon in the fully raised position before the high pressure manifold is placed in communication with pressure chamber 60. Consequently, trip 222 is located at a position where it will operate exchange valve 82 just after the container supporting platform has been fully raised with no container thereon. By having trip 222 so positioned there will be no jarring or vibration of the filling machine when high pressure is applied to the piston surface 58 of the container lifting platform.

Figure 19 discloses in detail of the mounting for high pressure'trip 222, it of course being understood that the low pressure trip 220 is mounted in a similar manner. An L-shaped bracket 300, provided with elongated apertures 302, is bolted to a plate 304 by means of the bolts 306. Plate 304 is also provided with elongated apertures 308 and is bolted to a portion of the stationary frame 10 of the filling machine as indicated at 310. Trip 222 is a roller type trip and is provided with a shaft 312 which is adapted to fit through a vertical slot 314 (Figure 15) in bracket 300 and be clamped thereto in an adjusted position by a nut 316 in the usual manner, By providing elongated slots 302, 308 and 314 in the trip assembly mounting, the trip 222 can be adjusted horizontally in two directions as well as vertically, thus providing for fine adjustment of trip 222.

In the above described arrangement for lifting containers into sealing engagement with filling heads, the fluid is supplied to the high pressure manifold at approximately 40 lbs. per square inch so that the pressure acting on piston surface 58 of the container supporting platform during the high pressure portion of travel of the platform is approximately 40 p. s. i. On the other hand, when valve 82 is moved to the low pressure position, the pressure of 40 p. s. i. acting against the piston surface 53 of container supporting platform is reduced down to 10 p. s. i. as the pressure in the low pressure manifold cannot build up over the 10 p. s. i. limit. Suitable adjustments are provided on pressure regulating devices 122 and 186 so that the pressures in the high and low pressure manifolds 98 and 100, respectively, can be adjusted, depending on the type of liquid being filled and thesize ofthe container being filled.

The terminology used in the specification is for the purpose of description and not for limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. In a filling machine for fillingcontainers, a moving filling table, said table being provided with a chamber, a container supporting platform reciprocable with respect to said chamber between at least a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position, cam means to engage said platform and move it to the first predetefmined-position, a source of fluid, means to place said source offluid into communication with said chamber and fill the same to a predetermined pressure to main- .tain said platform at the second predetermined position 9 when out of engagement with said cam means, and means to reduce the pressure of compressible fluid in said chamber to a lower predetermined pressure at least when said cam means engages said platform and moves the same to the first predetermined position, the lower predetermined pressure being suflicient to move the platform from said first position to said second position.

2. In a filling machine for filling containers, a moving filling table, said table being provided with a chamber, a container supporting platform reciprocable with respect to said chamber, cam means to engage said platform and move it to a predetermined position, a source of fluid, means to place said source of fluid into communication with said chamber and fill the same to a predetermined pressure after said platform has moved to another position and is out of engagement with said cam means, and means operative prior to engagement of said platform with said cam means to reduce the pressure of fluid in said chamber to a lower predetermined pressure, said lower predetermined pressure in said chamber being sulficient to move the platform to the other position when the same is out of engagement with said cam means, said pressure reducing means maintaining the pressure reduced until said platform has moved to the other position.

3. In a filling machine, a rotary table, a container supporting platform carried by said table and movable vertically with respect thereto to an upper and lower position, a fixed cam for engaging said platform to move the same to the lower position, fluid pressure means operable by fluid at a predetermined pressure to raise said platform upwardly when the same is going out of engagement with said cam, and means to increase pressure of fluid operating said fluid pressure means above said predetermined pressure when said platform is in the upper position.

4. In a filling machine, a rotary table, a container supporting platform carried by said table and movable vertically with respect thereto to an upper and lower position, a fixed cam for engaging said platform to move the same to the lower position, fluid pressure means operable at a predetermined pressure to raise said platform to the upper position, and means to increase pressure in said fluid pressure means above the predetermined pressure necessary to raise said platform to the upper position after said platform has moved to the upper position, said last-mentioned means maintaining the increased pressure in said fluid pressure means at least while the platform is in the upper position.

5. In a filling machine of the character described in claim 4 wherein said means to increase fluid pressure is operable when said platform is entirely out of engagement with said cam.

6. In a filling machine, a rotary table having a pressure chamber therein, a container supporting platform reciprocable with respect to said chamber, cam means to engage said platform and move it to a predetermined position, a source of fluid pressure, valve means associated with said chamber and having a passage therein adapted to provide communication between said chamber and said source of fluid pressure to fill said chamber with fluid at a predetermined pressure so as to maintain said platform at another position when out of engagement with said cam means, means for reducing fluid pressure in said chamber to a lower predetermined pressure so that as the platform is moved to its predetermined position by said cam means, the chamber has a reduced pressure therein, and said valve means having a second passage therein providing communication between said chamber and said means for reducing fluid pressure in said chamber, said pressure reducing means when in communication with said chamber, reducing fluid pressure in said chamber to an amount which is still suflicient to cause said platform to move to the other position when out of engagement with said cam means, said pressure reducing means maintaining a reduced pressure in said chamber at least while said platform is under the influence of said cam means.

7. In a fillingmachineof the character described in claim 6 wherein said means for reducing fluid pressure in said chamber to a lower predetermined pressure is a pressure relief device, said pressure relief device, when placed in communication with said chamber, relieving fluid pressure in said chamber to a predetermined pressure;

8. In a filling machine of the character described in claim 6 wherein said valve means includes a rotary plug valve having an operating arm thereon, fixed trip means positioned just forward of and aft of said cam means to operate said valve so as to place the chamber in communication with the means to reduce pressure therein and the source of fluid pressure respectively;

9. In a filling machine, a rotary table having a pinrality of pressure chambers therein, container supporting platforms cooperating with each of said plurality of chambers and adapted to be moved vertically by fluid pressure in said chambers from a lower position to an upper position, a high pressure fluid manifold, a low pressure fluid manifold having fluid at a pressure sufficient to move said platform from said lower position to said upper position, each of said manifolds being carried by said table, valves cooperating with said chambers and being connected to both of said manifolds for selectively placing the chambers into communication with first one and then the other of said manifolds, means in the path of movement of said table to move said platforms to their lower position during a portion of movement of said table, and means for selectively operating said valves so that at least during the portion of rotary movement of said table when the platforms are in the lower position, the low pressure manifold is in communication with the chambers associated with the platforms and when the platforms have moved to their upper position, the high pressure manifold is in communication with the chambers.

10. In a filling machine of the character described in claim 9 including pressure regulating means connected to said low pressure manifold for determining pressure of fluid relieved from said chambers when said chambers are in communication with said low pressure manifold.

11. In a filling machine of the character described in claim 10 wherein said pressure regulating means relieves excess pressure to atmosphere through a muflier.

12. In a filling machine of the character described in claim 9 wherein each of said valve includes a rotary plug having passages therein adapted to selectively communicate the chambers with the high and low pressure manifold.

13. In a filling machine of the character described in claim 9 wherein each of said valves includes a rotary plug having passages therein adapted to selectively communicate the chambers with the high and low pressure manifold, a trip lever carried by each rotary plug, and wherein said means to operate said valves includes fixed trips positioned in the path of the trip lever of each of said valves, one of said trips being positioned forward of and the other of said trips being positioned aft of the means for moving said platforms to their lower position.

14. A method of raising and lowering a container supporting platform carried by a moving filling table of a filling machine comprising the steps of: positively lowering the container platform during a portion of the movement of the filling table, applying fluid at a predetermined pressure to the container supporting platform while in the lowered position to thereby raise the container supporting platform to the upper position, increasing the pressure of fluid on the container supporting platform after it is in the upper position, reducing the increased pressure of fluid on the container supporting platform to the predetermined pressure necessary to raise the platform at least while the container supporting platform is in the lowered position. a

15. Amethod of .filling .containerssupported on vertically movable container supporting platforms carried by a rotary filling table of a rotary fillingrnachine, the steps of: positioningcontainers on the container supporting platforms when the platforms are in a lowered position, applying fluid pressure to the supporting platforms at a predetermined pressure when the supporting platforms are in the lowered position, utilizing the fluid at the predetermined pressure to raise the container supporting platforms to an upper position where the containers engage filling heads of the rotary filling machine, then increasing pressure of the fluid acting on the container supporting platforms to a predetermined pressure to maintain the containers in tight engagement with the filling heads, filling the containers while in engagement with the filling heads, releasing the increased pressure of fluid on the container supporting platforms prior to lowering of the container supporting platforms, then positively lowering the container supporting platforms and removing the filled containers therefrom.

16. A method of filling containers supportedonvertically movable supporting platforms carried .bya rotary filling table of a rotary filling machine, the stepsof: positioning containers on the container supporting platforms when the platforms are in a loweredfposition, utilizing a fluid at a predetermined pressure to raise the container supporting platforms to an upper positionwhere the containers engage filling heads of the rotary fi lling machine, then increasing pressure of the fluid acting on the container supporting platforms to a predetermined pressure to maintain the containers in tightengagement with the filling heads, filling the containers whilefin'tight engagement with the filling heads, reducing the increased pressure of fluid on the container supportin g'platforms to the predetermined pressure utilized for raising thejcontainer supporting platforms, then positively lowcringfthe container supporting platforms while the pressure utilized to raise the platforms is maintained on the platforms, and removing filled containers therefrom.

17. A method of filling containers supported on vertically movable container supporting platforms carried by a rotary filling table of a rotary filling machine the steps of: positioning containers on container supporting .platforms when the platforms are in a lowered position, utilizing a gaseous fluid'ata predetermined pressure to raise the container supporting platforms to an. upper position where 'the' containers engage filling headsof the rotary filling machine, then increasing pressure of the gaseous fluid acting on the container supporting platforms to a predetermined pressure to maintain the containers in tight engagement with the filling heads; filling containers while in engagement with the filling heads, releasing the increased pressure of gaseous fluidton {the container supporting platforms to atmosphere and ,prior to lowering of the container supporting platformsp naintaining a back pressure on the gaseous fluid while it is being released to atmosphere so-thatthe pressureacting on the container supporting platforms is reduced -tothe predetermined pressure necessary to raisethe container supporting platforms, then positively lowering the ,leontainer supporting platforms whilethe. platforms are s till under pressure of the gaseous fluid, removing. the filled containers from the container supporting platform, and repeating the above steps.

18. In a filling machine, arotary table, a tubular member carried by said table and defining a pressure chamber, a container supporting platform carried by said tubular member for yertical movement with respect thereto, a fixed cam positioned in theipath-of movement of said table and adaptedto epgage said container su porting platform to m oveithe,sarne to a lower position, a source of fluid, a substantially circular shaped manifold carried by said tableandinconstant open communication with said source of fluid, a secondsubstantially circular:manifold carried by said table, pressure regulatingmeans connected to said second manifold, a valve carried by said tubularmember, said valve having passagesstherein adapted to selectively place the pressure chamber in communication with one or the other of said manifolds, a fixed trip for operating said valve to place the chamber incommunication with said first mentioned manifold, said trip being positioned adjacent the aft end of said cam so as to operate said valve after the container supporting platform is fully raised, a second trip for operating said valve to a position to place the chamber in communication with said second conduit, said second trip being positioned relative the cam so as to operatelsaid valve prior to engagement of said cam with said container supporting platform.

19. ln'afilling machine for filling containers, a moving filling table, a container. supporting platform reciprocable with respect to' said table, cam means in the path of movement .of said platform with said table to engage said platform and move it to a first position, means for applying forces to said platform in a direction opposite to its movement with said cam means, said last mentioned means applying a relatively high degree of force to said platform when the same has movedto a second position and out of'engagement with said cam means, said last mentioned means :applying a lower force to said platform while under the influence of said cam means, the lower force applied tosaid platform being sufficient to, move a'nd moving the same to. the second position. ZOHIn-a -fiIling machine, a rotary table, a container supporting-platform cafried by said table and movable vertically vvith respect thereto to an upper and lower position, a fixed cam' inthe' pathcf movement of said platform with said tablefor engaging said platform to move the same to the lower position, means for applying forces to said platform in an-upward direction, said means applying a first force to said container supporting platform to maintain-the platform in its upper positionand said means applying a second force lower than said first force at least when-said cam is engaging said platform and moving the same to-the lower position.

21..A filling machine -of the character described in claim 20 whereinthe second force applied to said platform issuflicient to lift said platform to the upper position when the platform is -moving out of engagement withsaid cam.

l 22. A, method of raising and lowering a container supporting platform carried by a movingfilling table of afilling machine comprising the steps of: positively lowering the container :supporting platform during a portion of the movement of the filling table, applying a first force to the platform at least while it is in the lowered position to thereby raise the platform to the upper position, increasingtthe force applied tothe platform after it is in theupper position, reducing the increased force on-the platform-to-the first force necessary to raise the platform at least while the platform is in the lowered position.

3.23. In a-filling machine for filling containers, a moving filling table, acontainer supporting platform vertically reciprocable with respect to said table, cam means arranged to be engaged by said platform during movement'ofsaidtable to control-the vertical position of the platform with respect to said table during a portion of the path of movement of said table, means operable to exert a strong upward force on said platform when the latter is out of engagement with said cam, means and to exertrelatively less upward force upon the platform when the latter is in engagementwith said cam.

References Cited in the file of this patent 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS -.96l,408 '...I-Iebrank June 14, 1910 (980,446 Smith Jan. 3. 1911 2,634,894 Fischer et al. Apr. 14,1953 

